Hi all. I replaced the glow plugs in my lump last year. A few months of happy starting first time, every time later, I put the car off road for a while. The battery lost about half it's charge during that time but, it would start the car every week or so. A couple of weeks ago I attempted to start and no coil light came on at all so, I've also checked the glow plug rail for voltage with the meter but, found none. This didn't happen last time so, I've also checked all the fuses listed in the Haynes manual with the multimeter and they are intact.

I fully recharged the battery but, still no coil light. I even tried another battery but, still no coil light. I can start the car with spray in the inlet manifold and it will restart when warm.

Has anyone experienced this problem and managed to solve it? Any constructive ideas would be welcome.

No input voltage to the glow plug rail (and coil light)? Since there's juice in the battery there must be a dodgy connection somewhere, so as an ignorant petrol consumer I would suggest that you track the whole circuit with your multimeter...

But maybe some diesel owner here could giva a tip out of experience?

Ive got a petrol, but maybe a problem with glow plug supply relay ?

Time for a Haynes ?

Deffo glow plug relay

Thanks folks. Rigsby, I'll test the relay now. I'll let you know what I find.

Check to see if there is power at the input side and output as well as power at the switch side

Does it start alright when cold? If so might it just be the bulb in the dash?

Check to see if there is power at the input side and output as well as power at the switch side

Done. It's not getting the signal to switch. I manually triggered it to test (3s with an piece of plastic). It started first time. At least that's an end to magic spray! Looking at the Haynes diagrams I suspect the problem is with the control unit mounted next to it not triggering. Need to look at the potential causes for that tomorrow.

Not looking forward to spending £££ on a new control unit. Do you or anyone else know how to test one of these things easily and cheaply?

Does it start alright when cold? If so might it just be the bulb in the dash?

Unfortunately not. I wish...I wish...

If you cant find one in a scrappy ,i would go down the route of fitting a switch on the dash to trigger the relay

If you cant find one in a scrappy ,i would go down the route of fitting a switch on the dash to trigger the relay

I'm not going to bother with the scrappy on this one. Nice one Rigsby, I had the exact same idea after I posted my question yesterday. My only concern is passing the forthcoming MOT with this 'Heath Robinson' starter switch.

It wont be a problem for the mot as long as the wires are secure. the engine will be warm for the mot so they should not need to use the heaterplugs